Heath Streak's depleted Zimbab-weans arrive here Wednesday to prepare for one of cricket's toughest missions -- a Test series against Steve Waugh's world champion Australians on their home pitches.
Streak, 29, an accomplished all-rounder from Bulawayo, has just two weeks in which to whip an inexperienced 15-man squad into a competitive unit before the first Test at Perth's WACA Ground from Oct. 9.
It will be Zimbabwe's first Test in this country after a single previous Test meeting in the African country four years ago when Australia romped home by 10 wickets.
The tourists' task has been made all the tougher by the absence of the injured Grant Flower, sidelined recently with a broken thumb after he was struck in the domestic competition.
Flower, 32, a 65-Test campaigner with a respectable average of almost 30 at this level, is Zimbabwe's only current world-ranking batsman following the retirement from Test ranks of elder brother Andy.
Huge though the challenge may be for Zimbabwe -- who have won only seven of their first 67 Tests and have been whitewashed by Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and England in their past four series -- skipper Streak sees the two-Test tour as an opportunity to be grasped.
"This is a big milestone in the history of Zimbabwe cricket," he said just before leaving with his side.
"It offers us a fantastic opportunity to pit our skill against some of the best players in the world.
"We know that the cricket will be intense, and we do not expect Australia to underestimate us or take the Tests lightly.
"Every player in the squad will be looking to learn from the tour and to advance his game."
Zimbabwe have one major advantage over most teams visiting this country: they have two outstanding Australian coaches who know as much as anyone about conditions here.
Former Test opener and Australian vice-captain Geoff Marsh is overall coach, while former Test fast bowler Bruce Reid is working on the pacemen.
"With such a coaching team, we will have the best information and advice," Streak said.
Without the Flowers at the batting crease, Zimbabwe will look to such players as Craig Wishart (one century, four 50s in 21 Tests), Trevor Gripper (one century, three 50s in 14) Streak (eight 50s in 53) and Stuart Carlisle (seven 50s in 29) to show the way.
Zimbabwe open their campaign with a match against a Cricket Australia Chairman's X1 at Lilac Hill Park, near here, on Oct. 1 and meet Western Australia in a three-day clash starting two days later.
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